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Hello everyone!
It is the belief of myself and of the staff that it is time to reopen a new T-mobile LTE and Network discussion thread due to the implementation of "network prioritization" that tmobile is doing to its subscribers.
As Sprint has similar language in its TOS, we believe that it is worthy of being discussed here as Sprint may do something similar on a site by site basis.
This thread will be strictly for discussing T-mobiles LTE network and technologies and not about personalities, their followers, and etc etc which may be better suited for S4GRUs sister site for T-mobile T4GRU.
As a result this thread will be heavily moderated to stay on topic but I view the S4GRU member base very favorably and trust that we won't have much problems here.

T-mobile Ericsson Cell Equipment
For Ericsson markets t-mobile uses what is known as AIR antenna units which have the radio unit integrated with the antenna. This type of setup significantly reduces signal loss from the radio to the antenna since they're both practically next to each other and not sepearated by coax jumper cables like that of a remote radio unit.
Basic Ericsson AIR21 setup
(Note typically there are 2 Ericsson AIR per sector)
Ericsson AIR21 + Band 12 700 mhz Equipment
Note the addition of a new low band 700 mhz capable antenna + Ericsson RRUS11 B12 (remote radio units) in addition to new TMA (tower mounted amplifiers) connected to the AIR antenna. The new Ericsson RRUS11 B12 + Antenna addition is for tmobiles band 12 700mhz (L700) deployment.
(Credit: tmo.rocks)
Credit for the photographs belong to whoever took it. You know who you are!

With the introduction of the new plans Sprint has announced. I told one of my friends about the $60 unlimited plan and she was shocked yet happy about it. She currently has T-Mobile and there has been times where my Sprint service has out performed her service even in the city with puling up information and out of town...well... you already know how that went. She was talking about switching and stuff but then she sent me a typical article bashing Sprint and I got irritated by it and I had to explain to her that Sprint is not bad at all. These articles are based on past experiences from 3+ years ago. I told her I'm pulling 60+ mbps on LTE but she's worried about Sprint being slow ( because of what she read). Guys give me some advice on persuading her to give Sprint a chance.
I feel like articles that are being posted is what keeps away customers. It makes no sense that T-Mobiles 2g network is not spoken about when they are in the news for changes to plans and such. But good ol Sprint makes changes and articles that get posted rips Sprint apart for filth.

http://ces.cnet.com/8301-35284_1-57616761/how-i-got-t-mobiles-ceo-kicked-out-of-at-ts-ces-party/
Roger Cheng @cnet appears to have had the most fun out of this, it kind of wrote the story for him I guess, so there is that. Also, just noticed the extra title Q, that is gonna drive some people nuts today. Top lel.

Am I the only one that likes to look at Verizon's coverage comparison tool. I think it gives a good idea of a carrier's generalized coverage as far as those cities that have been announced. However, it takes a while for it to get updated. I look at Verizon's map and think, no one will ever build an LTE network of that size. When I look at T-Mobile, I see a spotty, spread out network. AT&T is also spotty with a few highways covered here and there. Sprint seems to be more put together as in even if it is spotty, they are in blobs rather than random remote areas.
I've also found a few places that Sprint has coverage in but not Verizon such as in southern Texas.
http://www.verizonwireless.com/wcms/consumer/4g-lte.html

I'm a former sprint customer, and recently moved to T-mobile. The main reason I moved to T-mobile had to do with the speed of the network from the speed testing websites, and they seemed to be more reliable. The second resons was that it was on GSM network which would allow for International roaming when abroad. However, I've found that when T-mobile is available it is fast, but lacks indoor penetration, something I notieced of Sprint as well, it also is not available everywhere such as sprint overall coverage. So I am now thinking of switching back to sprint because I live in Indiana and travel a lot on the road, which requires coverage that is not readily provided by T-mobile.
My question, if and when Sprint moves LTE to 800mhz and 2.5Ghz, are new phones required to take advantage of that frequency or will the Moto X and Iphone 5s work on those bands? Secondly, I read that Verizon will be shutting down its CDMA network sometime next year and move to Voicelte, I'm thinking this will effect Sprint coverage since I'm sure they use their network at times. Any thoughts on that or has Sprint also announced moving to Voice over LTE?
My main concern was with speed of the network, which when I have coverage with T-mobile, is much slower than Sprint (my wife still has sprint). I'm not sure I understand why the network is slower on Sprint and whether that will improve over time specfiically in Indianapolis. I appreciate any feedback so that I might move back to Sprint for the best long-term viability.

Came across this website today that compares customer complaints to all carriers and locations. You will learn that every company has issues and significant ones. It will also help those people who want to switch carriers to see what reviews the other companies got. I learned sprint in NYC is rated 2nd and of all four carriers and every carrier has dead zones. (Not a lot of reviews on site but sill some interesting info) Check it out and add any thoughts.
http://www.cellreception.com/coverage/
Click on your city at the bottom of page..or put zip but i learned clicking on city works better.
I recommend adding your review and spreading awareness as well.

I signed up with Sprint for 2 years with the iPhone 5. I've been an android guy since the OG EVO days and I must admit although many say the iPhone 5 is inferior to the quad core devices, I must agree, but at the same time the 5 is a great product and I have no reason to go back to android. I have been getting LTE near my home area, but the coverage is spotty and I have seen improvements in LTE coverage and it has only been a week! I still have 7 days to return to Sprint for a full refund. Tmobile's new plans for $99 iphone 5 + $90/month seems appealing considering I'll get HSPA+ or LTE. My question is in the long run which would be a better investment? I have limited knowledge when it comes to future deployments of either company. The only thing I do know is speed wise I was much happier on Tmobile. Coverage wise I am better off on Sprint. I know your answers may be a bit bias, but I'd like to understand why Sprint will be better than Tmobile for future LTE deployments.. Please convince me to stay! lol.

http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/08/t-mobile-claims-to-be-first-us-carrier-with-hd-voice-calling-nat/
Looks like T-Mobile beat Sprint to the punch with HD Voice. Now Sprint's advantage at this point would be their much greater coverage in providing their HD Voice.